Inflatable pad

ABSTRACT

An inflatable pad has a pocket portion and an inflatable air chamber portion in juxtaposition. The pad receives a strap through the pocket portion, and in use has the air chamber portion positioned between the strap and a person or article. The inflatable pad is a cushion for the strap.

United States Patent Pritchard et al.

INFLATABLE PAD Inventors: Frank A. Pritchard; Bill N.

Lovelace, both of 2215 Bennett, Wichita. Kans. 67213 Filed: Feb. 20,1973 Appl. 190.; 333,990

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 206.623,Dec. 10, 1971. abandoned.

U.S. Cl. 224/5 P; 2/2; 206/DIG. 30;

297/389 Int. Cl. A45f 3/02 Field of Search 224/5 P, 26 R; 280/150 SB,280/150 AB; 206/DIG. 30; 5/349; 297/389; 2/2

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1923 Lee 224/8 R X 1 51 May.13, 1975 2,919,747 1/1960 Post 5/349 X 3,780,388 12/1973 Thomas et al.5/349 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 948,829 10/1949 France 224/26 Rl.l41,94l I 12/1962 Germany 206/DIG. 30

Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Assistant Examiner-Jerold M. ForsbergAttorney, Agent, or Firm.lohn H. Widdowson [57] ABSTRACT An inflatablepad has a pocket portion and an inflatable air chamber portion injuxtaposition. The pad receives a strap through the pocket portion, andin use has the air chamber portion positioned between the strap and aperson or article. The inflatable pad is a cushion for the strap.

2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures P/JENIED HAY 1 31975 SHEET 1. BF 2 PATENIEDHAY I 3 I975 SHEET 2 0F 2 II:1 F

IlIllII/IIIII/IIlI/ll/IIIIIIIIIIIl/I/56 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVIIIIIIIIIIIIIJINFLATABLE PAD This application for patent is a continuation-in-partapplication based on our application entitled INFLAT- ABLE CUSHION PADFOR GOLF BAG SHOULDER STRAPS having Ser. No. 206,623, filed Dec. 10,1971 now abandoned.

Numerous types of padded shoulder straps and inflatable pad structuresare known in the prior art; however, these padded devices and pads forstraps are quite limited in their usage and are not particularly welladapted for use on a great many straps. The padded shoulder straps suchas golf bag straps and padded carrying case straps which are known inthe prior art are padded by means of attaching a resilient material suchas sponge rubber to a portion of the strap which is to be in contactwith a persons body or other article. These padded golf bag straps inparticular consist of a single layer of foam material attachable to thebody contact side of the strap or a cylindrical tube of material slippedover the strap and in either case they are not satisfactory as thesponge rubber deteriorates quickly with usage and they tend to turn orroll on a persons shoulder when in place. The sponge rubber or resilientmaterial pads used for carrying things such as cameras or rifle cases orthe like are constructed similar to the golf bag shoulder strap pads.Inflatable pads which are known as the prior art are generally flat padsattached to garments to absorb shock forces such as the recoil from arifle. Other inflatable pads are attached to the shoulders of an athletefor protecting him during football practice. No inflatable pad is knownin the prior art which is adapted to be mounted with a strap by a pocketalong the inflatable portion thereof.

In one preferred specific embodiment, an inflatable pad is providedwhich has a pocket portion and an air chamber portion with the pocketportion being adapted to receive a strap or the like to position the airchamber portion on a face of the strap. The inflatable pad is adapted tohave the air chamber portion positioned between the strap and an articlefor cushioning of forces of the strap contacting the article. Inparticular the inflatable pad is adapted for use with a strap such aswould come into contact with with a body with the air chamber portionbeing between the strap and the persons body. The inflatable pad isprovided with a valve for inflation thereof and it has a plurality ofcompartments in the air chamber portion thereof to enable the pad toconform with the shape and contour of a persons body and the strap orthe like.

One object of this invention is to provide an inflatable pad structureovercoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Still, one other object of this invention is to provide an inflatablepad structure having a pocket portion with a juxtapositional air chamberportion with the pocket portion being adapted to receive and hold astrap or the like.

Still, another object of this invention is to provide an inflatable padstructure which is adapted to be used with a strap which is brought intocontact with a persons body for the protection of the persons body withthe inflatable pad having a pocket to receive the strap and having anair chamber portion to be in contact with the persons body.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide an inflatable padstructure with an elongated hollow pocket portion to receive a strap orthe like therethrough with an air chamber portion in juxtaposition tothe pocket and extending the length of the pocket portiontosubstantially cover one face of the strap or the like.

Yet, an additional object of this invention is to provide an inflatablepad structure having an air chamber portion which has a plurality ofconnected compartments and having a valve for inflating the air chamberto a desired pressure.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a person carrying a golf bag in anover-the-shoulder relation with the inflatable pad mounted with the golfbag strap and being on top of the persons shoulder;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inflatable pad mounted on a strap takenfrom the face thereof having the air chamber portion and adapted to bein contact with a persons body;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the strap and inflatable pad shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end elevation view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged end elevation view taken on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing aseam between compartments of the air chamber.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 2 showing thevalve;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end elevation view of the inflatable pad having astrap and a filler pad therein the pocket portion thereof;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the inflatable pad structure havingequally spaced compartments in the air chamber portion, with a portionof the pads side cut away for clarity exposing a strap laced through aspacer member in the pocket portion; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a person, shown in outline form,sitting in a vehicle seat having the inflatable pad of this inventionmounted on the shoulder strap of the seat safety harness.

The following is a discussion and a description of preferred specificembodiments of'the inflatable pad structure of this invention such beingmade with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same referencenumerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/orstructure. It is to be understood that such discussion and descriptionis not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, aninflatable pad structure of this invention, indicated at 10, is shownwith the carrying strap of a golf bag which is supported by a person inan over-theshoulder relation. The inflatable pad structure 10 is adaptedto be mounted with a strap to serve as a cushion therefor. Theinflatable pad structure 10 includes a pocket portion 12 to receive astrap or the like and an air chamber portion 14 to receive and hold aquantity of air. The air chamber portion is positioned on one face ofthe strap or the like for cushioning that side of the strap as shown.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show in elevation views the inflatable pad 10 mountedwith a strap that is generally indicated at 16. The strap 16 is shownfor illustration purposes only and is a strap similar to that used witha golf bag. Preferably the inflatable pad is mounted with a strap suchas that shown which is a relatively thin and flat strap structure. Thestrap 16 passes through the pocket portion 12 and extends from both endsof the inflatable pad 10. The strap 16 is shown with a snap type clasp18 on one end thereof and a narrow strap portion 20 on the opposite endthereof which is typical for golf bag straps. The pocket portion 12 isan elongated pocket open on the ends thereof as is shown in the endviews of the inflatable pad 10, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The elongated pocketof the pocket portion 12 forms a sheath or tubular receptacle for thestrap 16. The air chamber portion 14 is preferably constructed with aplurality of connected compartments in a juxtapositional relation to thepocket portion 12 and are generally indicated at 22. The compartments 22are separated by seam segments 24 at several points along the inflatablepad 10. The air chamber is esentially a compressible cushion or pillowheld in place on the strap by its pressure on the strap in the pocketportion which functions to distribute the load of the article carriedwith the strap.

An inflator valve, generally indicated at 26, is provided at one end ofthe air chamber portion 14 for inflation of the air chamber. Theinflator valve 24 is preferably constructed generally as shown in FIG. 7for the receipt of a needle type inflation tool of the conventional typewhich is commonly used with basketballs,

footballs, etc. The inflatable pad structure 10 is constructed in anembodiment as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the drawings with fivecompartments generally indicated at 22 having a pair of equally sizedcompartments 28 on the opposite ends thereof and a larger compartment 30in the center portion thereof. The seam segments 24 separate the severalcompartments and determine the size of the compartments. Preferably theinflator valve 26 is placed in the end compartment as shown. In practicewith the inflatable pad 10 used with a golf bag carrying strap in thecarrying of golf bags, it has been found desirable to make the centerpocket 30 larger to cushion the majority of the load which is carrieddirectly on top of the shoulder. FIG. 1

shows the large compartment 30 in a shoulder top position. In using theinflatable pad 10 for carrying heavy loads in an over-the-shoulderrelation it is obviously an advantage to have a larger compartment inthe center portion of the pad. It is to be understood that theinflatable pad structure 10 of this invention can be constructed withthe air chamber portion thereof having multiple pockets or having singlepockets. FIG. 9 illustrates the inflatable pad having five equallyspaced compartments generally indicated at 31, in the air chamberportion thereof.

The inflatable pad structure 10 is preferably constructed of aplastic-like material for simplicity in construction and durability inthe finished product. In practice the inflatable pad structure 10 hasbeen constructed of a flexible vinyl material because such has beenfound preferable due to the flexible and durable nature of themateriaLThe inflatable pad structure 10 as shown in the drawings can beconstructed from two rectangularly shaped pieces of flexible plasticmaterial with one piece being larger and forming the exterior of thepocket portion 12 and the air chamber portion and the smaller pieceforming the interior of the air chamber portion 14. In construction ofthe inflatable pad l0 the smaller sheet is joined with the larger sheetafter the inflator valve 26 has been attached to the larger piece. Inpractice with the vinyl material it has been found an advantage to useheat to seal the pieces together. In one operation the smaller sheet canbe attached to the larger sheet with seams 34 and 36 formed on the endsof the inflatable pad and other seams 38 and 40 formed on the pocketportion interior and the plurality of compartment separating seams 24formed in the center portion thereof. The compartment separating seams24 form the divisions of the compartments 22 and are oriented transverseto the elongated axis of the inflatable pad structure. It is to be notedthat at the option of the user the spacing and quantity of thecompartments 22 can be modifying or changing the compartment separatingseams 24. Once the two sheets of material have been joined together theouter edge portions of the larger piece thereof can be joined by asimilar heating process to form the looped or tubular structure of thepocket portion 12. FIGS. 4 and 5 are opposite end views of the cushionpad 10 illustrating the relative positions of the seams of the padstructure, and the shapes of the portions thereof when inflated. FIG. 6shows in detail the structure of the inflatable pad 10 at a compartmentseparating seam 24 showing the juncture of the two separate pieces ofplastic material. The space indicating at 42 is a portion of the airchamber connecting the compartments at the separating seam 24. FIG. 7shows in detail the structure of the inflator valve 26. The inflatorvalve 26 shown has a support portion 44 therearound a perforatable sealportion 46 in the center thereof. The perforatable portion 46 is adaptedto removably receive and'pass a needle valve tool for inflation anddeflation of the air chamber.

In some applications of the inflatable pad 10 the strap placed in thepocket portion 12 will be held in place by the force of the interiorside of the pocket portion adjacent to the air chamber pressing againstthe strap and holding it in position in the pocket portion 12. In someother applications of the inflatable pad .where it must be used on arelatively thin strap, it may be necessary to insert a filler pad in thepocket portion 12 along with the strap for the purpose of filling thecavity thereof so the strap will be retained in the desired position andso the inflatable pad structure 10 can be inflated to the desiredpressure. In practice in using the inflatable pad 10 for carrying golfbags, where the weight carried ranges about 25 pounds, a pressure ofapproximately 1 /2 to 2 pounds per square inch pressure in the airchamber has been found desirable. In applications of the inflatable pad10 with the relatively thin strap and a filler pad the filler pad isnecessary to develop the desirable pressure within the air chamber andat the same time retain a desirable shape in the pad structure. Withoutthe filler pad the inflatable pad structure will tend to balloon anddeform as well as allowing the relatively thin strap to slide within thepocket portion 12. FIG. 8 shows an end elevation view of the inflatablepad 10 having a relatively thin strap indicated at 48 and a filler padindicated at 50. The particular filler pad 50 to be used will of coursedepend upon the material of the strap 48 and the thickness thereof. Inpractice in using the inflatable pad structure 10 with web belts, suchas automotive seat belts and the like, it has been found advantageous touse a filler pad of a resilient plastic-like material as it is flexible,durable and clings to both the belt and the inflatable pad.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another application of the inflatable padstructure 10 for use with a strap which is substantially narrower andthinner than the pocket portion 12. As shown, the thin and narrow strap52 is laced through a filler or spacer member 54'. The filler or spacermember 54 is preferably'a flexible elongated planar member having aplurality of slots therein to receive the thin narrow strap 52 such thatit can be laced therethrough to support the strap in a transverselyfixed position within the pocket portion 12. In lacing thethin narrowstrap 52 through the spacer member 54 it is to be noted that such mustbe done with the ends 56 of the spacer member 54 having the strap 52passing therethrough in a direction opposite to the air chamber portion14 so pulling the strap 52 in the direction of the air chamber willbring the filler or spacer member 54 into contact with the air chamberportion of the pad structure at the ends. In practice it has been foundthat the filler or spacer member 54 can be constructed of a lightweightflexible and strong material, such as polyethylene plastic material;however, other material can be used. A specific use of the inflatablepad structure 10 with the spacer member 54 for thin narrow straps iswith a mail carriers pouch shoulder strap since these straps are quitenarrow. The spacer member 54 supports the pad 10 on the thin narrowstrap and distributes the load over the shoulder. At this point it is tobe noted that for applications of the inflatable pad 10 of thisinvention for uses such as with mail carriers pouches where the loadchanges considerably over a short period of time it is advantageous tohave the inflatable pad structure constructed with equally sizedcompartments in the air chamber as shown in FIG. 9. The use of equalsized compartments prevents turning or rolling of the pad in a low loadcondition which will occur if the pad has an enlarged centercompartment.

The inflatable pad structure 10 of this invention is an inflatablecushion pad that can be used on virtually any structure with a strap orthe like that is to be brought in contact with a persons body or ananimal's body. FIG. 1 shows the inflatable pad structure 10 used withthe carrying strap of a golf bag. FIG. 10 shows the inflatable pad 10used with a shoulder harness belt 60 of an automobile safety beltsystem. In this application the driver 62 sitting in the vehicle seat 64positions the inflatable pad structure 10 on the shoulder belt 60 in aposition generally as shown extending over his shoulder and onto hischest. In this application, the inflatable pad structure 10 providescomfort for the driver 62 by isolating the often irritating strap fromhis body and clothing; and in the case of an accident or sudden stopwherein the persons body would be brought into firm contact with theshoulder strap 60, the inflatable pad 10 will in that case cushion theblow. Other applications for the inflatable pad structure of thisinvention are numerous and obvious, for example, back pack shoulder andback straps, parachute harnesses, duffle bag straps, rifle or automaticweapons straps, infant carrier harnesses, and as described mail carrierpouch shoulder straps. In use of the inflatable pad structure 10 foranimal harnesses such can be used for breast collar straps and girthstraps on horses and the like. Other further uses of the inflatable padof this invention can be made by attaching the pad to a structure orarticle that a person may come in contact therewith, such as a footballblocking dummy, or attaching it to an article for packing or storagepurposes as a shock or vibration insulator.

In the manufacture of the inflatable pad structure of this invention, itis obvious that the structure can be easily manufactured from a flexibleplastic material to achieve the end product. In practice, the inflatablepad structure has been constructed from a flexible vinyl sheet materialand such has proven to be a desirable material for the construction ofthe pad structure due to its flexibility, its not being affected bymoisture and its being easy to clean. The inflatable cushion pad can beconstructed from the named material by forming the seams thereof byheating as described so there are no exposed seams on the sides of thepad to rub and cause irritation. It is to be noted that the number ofcompartments and the spacing thereof can be changed at the option of theuser depending upon the specific desired use of the inflatable pad.Also, it is to be noted that the size of the air chamber portion and thepocket portion can be modified from that shown in the drawings for aspecific use or to accommodate a special strap or the like.

In the use and operation of the inflatable pad structure of thisinvention, it is seen that same provides a cushion structure forattachment to and use with a strap or the like which is to be broughtinto contact with a body. The inflatable pad structure provides an aircompartment cushion which is attachable to a strap or the like and whichhas numerous uses as described. The inflatable pad structure by virtueof its inflatable nature provides adjustment of the cushioning effectthereof by simply and easily changing the pressure within the airchamber as is necessary depending upon the load carried. The inflatablepad distributes the load carried over the area of the pad thuseliminating pressure points. Another feature of the inflatable pad isthat once inflated the pad is tightened on the strap or the like andwill retain its position without slipping until deflated.

As will become apparent from the foregoing description of the applicantsinflatable pad structure, relatively inexpensive and simple means havebeen provided to effectively cushion straps which are to be brought incontact with a body. The inflatable pad structure is simple to attach ormount with a strap, attractive in appearance, usable in manyapplications, and it is structurally simple. The inflatable padstructure due to its simple structure is economical to manufacture.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferredspecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that thisdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. An inflatable cushion pad for golf bag shoulder straps, or the like,comprising a flexible pocket portion, a flexible air chamber portionintegrally attached along said pocket portion in juxtaposition, said airchamber portion having a plurality of end to end compartments in fluidcommunication with each other and bendable between said compartments,means mounted in the wall of said air chamber portion to inflate same,said pocket portion is an elongated hollow pocket open on the endsthereof, said air chamber portion extends along said pocket portionsubstantially covering a face of said inflatable pad, said air chamberportion is substantially the same length as said pocket portion, saidmeans to inflate is a valve means through a wall of said air chamberportion, said valve means being openable for inflation or deflation ofsaid air chamber portion, said air chamber portion being adapted to bepositioned on one face of a strap when same is placed in said pocketportion, said pocket portion being adapted to fit around said strap in aclose fitting relation when said air chamber portion is in an inflatedcondition, said plurality of compartments being separated by a pluralityof seams transverse to said elongated pocket portion forming saidcompartments of substantially equal size, said inflatable pad beingconstructed and adapted to in use receive said strap in said pocketportion to have said plurality of compartments of said air chamberportion inflated and to be used having said air chamber portionpositioned between said strap and a person and shaped to the contour ofsame to cushion the force of said strap when moved in contact with saidperson, said pad is inhibited from moving along the length of said strapby frictional engagement with said pocket and by inflation of said airchamber.

2. The inflatable pad of claim 1 wherein said plurality of compartmentsadditionally includes a compartment in the center portion of said airchamber that is larger than the other compartments on the end portion ofsaid air chamber portion.

1. An inflatable cushion pad for golf bag shoulder straps, or the like,comprising a flexible pocket portion, a flexible air chamber portionintegrally attached along said pocket portion in juxtaposition, said airchamber portion having a plurality of end to end compartments in fluidcommunication with each other and bendable between said compartments,means mounted in the wall of said air chamber portion to inflate same,said pocket portion is an elongated hollow pocket open on the endsthereof, said air chamber portion extends along said pocket portionsubstantially covering a face of said inflatable pad, said air chamberportion is substantially the same length as said pocket portion, saidmeans to inflate is a valve means through a wall of said air chamberportion, said valve means being openable for inflation or deflation ofsaid air chamber portion, said air chamber portion being adapted to bepositioned on one face of a strap when same is placed in said pocketportion, said pocket portion being adapted to fit around said strap in aclose fitting relation when said air chamber portion is in an inflatedcondition, said plurality of compartments being separated by a pluralityof seams transverse to said elongated pocket portion forming saidcompartments of substantially equal size, said inflatable pad beingconstructed and adapted to in use receive said strap in said pocketportion to have said plurality of compartments of said air chamberportion inflated and to be used having said air chamber portionpositioned between said strap and a person and shaped to the contour ofsame to cushion the force of said strap when moved in contact with saidperson, said pad is inhibited from moving along the length of said strapby frictional engagement with said pocket and by inflation of said airchamber.
 2. The inflatable pad of claim 1 wherein said plurality ofcompartments additionally includes a compartment in the center portionof said air chamber that is larger than the other compartments on theend portion of said air chamber portion.